Position of the NAOP
November 26th, 2006
| Date: | Tue, 21 Nov 2006 |
| From: | National Association for Olmsted Parks (info@naop.org) |
| To: | Jim Reynolds (fta@sbcglobal.net) |
| Subject: | Copy of the letter sent to President Wiaduck and Village Trustees |
Please see below. A hard copy has been faxed to you as well.
November 21, 2006
The Hon. Harold Wiaduck, President
Village of Riverside
27 Riverside Road
Riverside, Illinois 60546
By fax: 708-447-2704
Dear President Wiaduck and Village Trustees:
At the request of the Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside, we have reviewed the preliminary documents regarding the creation of a tax increment financing district, as well as the Village’s transit-oriented development study, which is a key element in the TIF program.
While we admire the intent of the plan to strengthen Riverside as a transit village, we have serious concerns about the impact that the anticipated “high-density” development will have on Riverside’s historic center and adjacent land.
Implementation of the plan as we have seen it would threaten the assets of the community that provide Riverside with the unique character that gives it national and international historical significance.
We urge the Village first to adopt a comprehensive plan for Riverside to guarantee that future generations will continue to enjoy the quality of place that Olmsted envisioned for its citizens.
The National Association for Olmsted Parks would gladly assist Riverside in this effort, and we would look forward to initiating conversations in that regard.
Sincerely,
Catherine Nagel
Executive Director
cc: James D. Reynolds, President, Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside
